Page 78 of Knot Happening

“Shhh,” Easton jumps off the bed, and I get my first view of him from head to toe in the daylight in nothing but his birthday suit. My brain short circuits. Trains get derailed. Brain cells shrivel. My instincts explode. Implode? Am I pregnant now? The thrum in my core has me questioning the whole miraculous conception theory… Either way, I have to turn away from the sight to calm my crazy ass down. Only now I’m facing the full length mirror and East comes up behind me, wrapping his armsaround my naked waist. He holds me tightly against his chest and meets my gaze through the mirror. He does a good job not ogling my nakedness.

“Easton…”

“Little Sparrow… You have nothing to worry about. I can be whatever you need me to be. I’m good with friends.” He grins at me, and I nearly melt. “That fuck like bunnies,” he adds, and I can’t help it, I snort a laugh.

“My friends don’t…do all this.” I wave my hand, gesturing at our reflection in the mirror. “Certainly no fucking…”

“Ah, well, this is how I am with all my friends.” He drops his voice to a whisper, “Spoiler alert, you are my only friend, Tatum. I’ve recently learned that I’m a very handsy person. Need constant cuddles. Omega cuddles are safe, aren’t they?” Easton nuzzles me, his bleached white hair tickling my neck, and I have to hold my breath to keep the whimpers from escaping.

“Alright,” I agree, because I’m only so strong. Only so capable of resisting the comfort he’s offering. “What about the knife?”

“Right. Habit.” Easton shrugs, trailing his hands up my body, grinning when I shiver, and my skin prickles with bumps. He reaches my breasts, caressing a nipple with a gentle brush that has my knees weakening. I suck in a sharp breath as my heart picks up speed. Watching the curiosity in his eyes as he touches me like this? I’m going to pass out.

“Easton, this is…we should… I can’t think when you do that!” I hiss, spinning in his arms. I place my hands on his shoulders, finally released from his spell. Well, sort of. He is still naked and stupidly attractive.

“Who needs to think?”

“You are very distracting,” I grumble, shaking my head at him.

“Thank you. So are you. Should we get back in bed?” he asks hopefully, and I shake my head.

“No, I’m hungry. Come on.”

I decide to make us a quick lunch before the magic fades, and we go back to reality.

Easton

I leave Tatum reluctantly, but I need to get out of here before her fucking stalker returns.

I planted a camera outside the apartment that records motion, and one in the parking lot where I know Hayden likes to hide his shitty little sedan. The one he bought specifically for days when he stays here.

Of course, I made sure he’d be busy last night… Once I’m out her door, I grab the bottle of scent neutralizer I stashed in the bushes on the upper balcony. I spray her door, and the entire area, after spraying myself. Just in case.

I can’t do much about the fact that I scent marked the fuck out of her and her apartment last night, but she has to work later.

She’ll have to wash off my scent and neutralize her room before she leaves for work, otherwise she’ll get fewer tips.

Hmm. Would she though? Omegas scent marking each other isn’t common. And our combined flavor is something out of a naughty dream.

I’ve only ever done it as a way to fuck with Alphas. It sends their instincts into overdrive. I particularly enjoy using it to fuck with the Hayes brothers.

Leaving my scent all over their little cell…in the shitty traps they try to set for me. I’m not getting caught in shit, unless I want to be caught.

Last night, my instincts took over in my sleep. But then I’d saturated her with my scent. Drowning in my brownies. That blueberry, vanilla ice cream, warm brownie combination… I’d nearly bitten her in my foggy state. Then I perfumed for her. Something I haven’t done since I presented as an Omega the first time. Something I work very hard to suppress.

I never needed drugs to control my Omega instincts. Fear, trauma, and necessity are powerful toxins. But somehow, Tatum eases every doubt.

The first time my heat hit was the last time I had a heat. I shudder at the memory. So much blood and death… That was a moment my uncle nearly had me killed for. But he raised me the way he did for a purpose.

My Omega status wasn’t going to fuck that up. I made sure of it.

My phone beeps just as I’m climbing onto my motorcycle. I pull it out with a sigh.

U: Number one special. Meet me for pickup location.

U stands for uncle. This phone is a burner, but you can never be too careful. Number one is one victim. My uncle has a job for me.

Two hours later, I’m waiting in the unmarked car I use for killing, outside an unassuming house in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. Light blue shutters, navy blue roof. The job is to kill and take.

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